Beach and Magic Kingdom

We have had a very busy past 2 days here in Florida. On Friday we went to New Samirna Beach and Daytona Beach. Yesterday, (Saturday) we went to Magic Kingdom.
There is no reason for any child growing up in the Orlando region to ever say the worlds, "I am bored." Our family of 3 is officially zonked, wore out, and pooped! Today Josh and Todd ventured to Tampa to see a Tampa Bay baseball game, Lyd and I decided to stay back and rest and do some local shopping.

The beach was very nice and not too busy. Lydia loved the water and got excited when a wave came our way. She liked rolling in the sand and getting her hands all in it. The water was beautiful and warm! We collected a few seashells and had a nice family time.

WDW is crazy....so crowded and strollers everywhere. We arrived very early at Magic Kingdom and waited first in line at the rope. It was really neat and special how they opened the park with a big character greeting. Once we were in the park, we ran (yes ran) to Cinderella's Castle to get to Fantasy Land and be the first group on Dumbo. We rode all the major rides in Fantasyland before 10:00am and then went to meet the Princesses. They were so beautiful and very friendly- Lydia had to touch and talk to all of them. We then went to Frontierland and Adventureland and did some shows and more rides. After lunch, Lydia fell asleep so Josh and I took turns on Splash Mountain. Talk about a drop- it was nuts! Josh loved it, but I thought I was going to have a heart attack! After surviving Splash Mountain, we went on more rides and back to Fantasyland to re-ride some favorites. I could ride "It's a Small World" a hundred times. Lydia kept saying, "Babydolls, Babydolls, ride, ride, ride"

She loved all the dolls dancing and playing! It was my favorite too! We had dinner with the Winnie the Pooh characters. Lydia about jumped over the table (in fear) everytime they came by our table to talk to her. Finally, we had to just motion them on to other tables. She was so terrified of their costumes. She watched them like a hawk and wouldn't eat if they were anywhere in sight. We stayed for the parade and the fireworks. It was such a special time! I am sure Lydia will enjoy us telling her all about it and showing her the pictures and video for years to come!

Here are some pictures of the beach and Magic Kingdom. It is almost impossible for my distracted 15 month old to look at the camera these days, not to mention the sun grins. Nonetheless, she sure is a cutie pie!

Nashville, Sea World and Todd's Place

We are here in sunny & humid Florida. Orlando is great, Todd's place is so nice and the area he lives in is just like out of a movie set. I would think we were in Hollywood if I didn't know better. He lives in Orlando but not in the tourist area, he lives on Baldwin Park Lake area and it is really cool. Lots of neat shops: like a place you can go to make your own fudge and a cute children's boutique and brick laid streets everywhere.


Lydia is enjoying everything, she loves to investigate Todd's many things. We are teaching him the ways of childproofing a home. Thursday she loved Sea World more than we could have ever imagined. We were there for 12 hours and she was a major champ. She took a couple of short naps, clapped at all the shows, squeeled with glee and waved to all the animals. The shows were incredible. Lydia loved Shamu and the dolphins and especially Seasme Street Live. We took her to meet Elmo before the show and she loved him from afar, but close up was another story. It was a great day, espeically as a practice run for WDW on Saturday.


We started our trip on Tuesday by staying the night in Nashville. We swam at the hotel pool and then we visited with our good pals David and Maggie. They haven't changed a bit. Maggie is still sweet as pie and David, well David is David-hillarious! Lydia has enjoyed seeing our buddies. She loved hanging with them Tuesday night and loves following Todd around everywhere with her arms up for him to hold her.


Here are some pics from visiting with David, Maggie in Nashville and Tood in Orlando, and of course Sea World. We are off to the beach today so check back for beach pics!

Where dreams come true....

Who's the leader of the club
That's made for you and me!
M-I-C-K-E-YM-O-U-S-E!
Hey, there! Hi, there! Ho, there!
Your're as welcome as can be!
M-I-C-K-E-YM-O-U-S-E!
Mickey Mouse!(donald duck)mickey mouse!(donald duck)
forever let us hold our banner high (high! high! high!)
Come along and sing the song and join the jamboree!
M-I-C-K-E-YM-O-U-S-E!
mickey mouse club!mickey mouse club!
we'll have fun, we'll meet new faces
we'll do things and we'll go places all around the world
we're marching yeah, mickey! yeah, mickey! yeah, mickey mouse club! Yeah!

I am off to Mickey & Minnie's city~ Check back soon for vacation pics and journal!
"See ya real soon!"

First Car Date

Lydia and I enjoyed being with the lovely Pogue sisters today....it was just like old times except for the fact 7 children were around!!!

I was glad that Lydia got to be around such handsome future boyfriend prospects today. Miles and Samuel both wanted to take Lydia on her First Car Date.

She is one lucky girl to have so many sweet young boys to grow up around!

Better late than never...

Easy Recipe Thursday (even though it is Saturday)
Check out Terri's blog for her yummy Strawberry cake, it is so "good"- "one of those deserts you have at a friend's house and never forget good"
I am sure the other faithful friends that contribute to the Easy Recipe Thursday also have good ones this week too! Here goes one of my favorite easy summer deserts:

***BANANA PINEAPPLE CAKE ***

3 cups plain flour
2 cups sugar (you could do 1 cup splenda, 1 cup reg.sugar)
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple with juice
1 ½ cups oil (or applesauce for less fat)
3 eggs
1 ½ tsps. vanilla
2 cups diced bananas

Mix all ingredients together. (Do not use mixer- So EASY!)
Put in greased and floured tube pan or bundt pan.
Bake at least 1 hour and 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Cool completely before removing from pan.
Good with cream cheese icing drizzled over it or plain!

Happy Fourth of July

The weather was not very friendly for the Fourth. We were sad not to see the fireworks with our buddies who found shelter under the stadium. Since we couldn't find parking, our family of three was able to view the beautiful WKU fireworks from a dorm parking lot. Atleast we didn't get wet! Those of you who did get to see them together- so sorry we didn't make it! Maybe next year we can do our ice-cream & firework sharing like I had hoped!

Catching Up at 14 Months

Due to some camera/computer difficulties, I was unable to post much last month. Here is a collage of happenings during the month of June during Lydia's 14th month:

First row: (L to R) Lydia enjoying time at her Grandparents being pushed on the swing by cousins, Jameson, Paige and Ally; Lydia and Ally; Swimming at Uncle David and Aunt Beth's house; chilling with Great-Papaw Moore

Second row: Papa and Lydia are buddies; Lydia down in the country of Butler Co.; Lydia eating Aunt Sara's b-day cake; Aunt Sara's 26th B-day

Third row: Father's Day; Visiting with Colt; Enjoying flowers

Fourth row: Feeding Zoe her drink; Eating a snack; Giving Pappy her snack; Playing in toy bin

We also went to the Nashville Zoo with the Owens' family, spent many days swimming at different pools, and played at the park. It was a busy and FUN month.

In a couple of weeks we are off to Orlando to visit Todd, and of course, Mickey and Minnie!